Who started it, when, why and why Saint Michael the Archangel medals?

My name is Ruth Laursen and I live near Lakeville, Minnesota. My husband Paul and I own an outdoor maintenance company and I am an independent distributor of essential oils. I started giving blessed St. Michael the Archangel medals to police departments July 2016.

I had heard about the shootings of police officers at the protest on July 7, 2016 in Dallas, Texas.I saw a video of a woman recount her personal experience at the protest that day. She told how she was injured and how the officers protected her and her son with their own bodies. The officers were human shields with no regard to their own lives. The woman continued recounting her story the best she could while crying in between.

I was stunned and heartbroken. The police officers who were there to protect the protesters were being gunned down because they were police officers.

At that moment it seemed to me that any and all police everywhere were not only in a physical battle but also in a spiritual battle. It was then that I felt divinely inspired with the idea to give blessed medals to the police for their protection. I checked to see who the patron saint of police were and found that it was St. Michael the Archangel. That made sense because like Saint Michael the Archangel, who protects and serves the kingdom of God, the police officers also serve and protect those in the communities around them.

Was there any interest?

I thought I should see if there was any interest in the medals from the police department. Since we live near Lakeville, Mn, I went to the Lakeville police station. I talked to Lieutenant Puncochar and explained to him why I was there. At one point he looked at me and asked me what we were called. I looked back at him, thought for a few seconds and said “I don’t know… how does the Saint Michael project sound?” Thus, the Saint Michael Project was born. I indicated to Lt. Puncochar that the medals were for anyone who was interested in having one and that no one had to take one if they didn’t want to. Lieutenant Puncochar was interested in getting 100 medals for the officers, staff and volunteers.

Now what? Medal Presentation and Blessing

After that meeting, I had a lot figure out. Where do I get the medals from, how do I give them and present them, cards, inserts, flyers, etc, etc. The presentation I felt was important to show the value and importance of the medals and the importance of those who were receiving them. Deacon Jim from All Saints Church and Lieutenant Puncochar helped me with the wording on the flyer and on the inserts that go in the bag with the medals.

The medals have always been 2 sided, with Saint Michael the Archangel on one side and the Guardian Angel protecting children on the other side. The medals we use now are made in Italy and they were specially made for us.

The medals were blessed on Monday, July 25th 2016 by Archbishop Hebda. They were also given that same day to the Lakeville Police Department. It was just 2 weeks from the first time that I had walked into the Lakeville MN police department with nothing to the time I handed them the 100 blessed St. Michael the Archangel medals!

Who pays for them?

Any generous donation would be greatly appreciated to help pay for the medals and supplies needed to distribute them to police departments across the nation.

How many have been given out?

From July 25, 2016 to February 24, 2020, over 20,000 medals were given to more than 200 departments.

What is our future?

The Saint Michael Project will continue to follow God’s call to give blessed medals to other police departments.

Won’t you donate to this worthy cause?

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

by Edmund Burke

About

Who started it, when, why and why Saint Michael the Archangel medals?

Ruth and Paul Laursen

The Saint Michael Project Mascot

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."